BCC Newsletter – September 2018

The summer of 2018 has remained heavily scheduled for the Broadneck Council Board as we continue to meet with State and County Government officials to address many of our key focus areas. These include our well known concerns –re: Rte #50 beach traffic, Sandy Point State Park attendance, 2019 General Development Planning (GDP), HOA/CA stormwater management facilities, environmental controls, Broadneck Biker Trail, local Public Safety resources and continued overdevelopment on our Peninsula.

GDP IS ON THE WAY
As we prepare to work on the 2019 GDP (General Development Plan), our good news is that we have been fortunate to have two Broadneck residents appointed by the County Executive, to serve on the Customer Advisory Committee (CAC) and missioned to provide community input as the County develops the Plan. Elizabeth Rosborg, from the Arnold Preservation Council (APC), and Pat Lynch, from the BCC – have been chosen to represent respectively, the Arnold/Broadneck area. Amy Leahy will represent the Greater Severna Park area. Our next Small Area Plan (SAP) is expected to include not just Broadneck as in 2002, but also will include Severna Park. The team will be well in place to provide leadership in developing a new land use plan for the next ten years.

NOVEMBER ELECTIONS – WHOM TO VOTE FOR?
The BCC coordinated with the Cape St. Claire Improvement Association (CSCIA) to host three successful and well attended ‘Candidates’ Nights’ in preparation for the Primary Elections. We are repeating this program with two Candidates’ Nights prior to the November General Election. Two events are scheduled: a County Candidates for Thursday 10/4/18 and a State Candidates for Thursday 10/18/18 at 7:30 PM in the -Cape St. Claire Clubhouse. Thanks to the CSCIA President-Beau Breeden for his work in setting up these important events.

SANDY POINT STATE PARK (SPSP)- TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT:
Since our July 2016 BCC General Meeting re:intense Sandy Point traffic on E. College Parkway and Skidmore/Whitehall service roads, the BCC has had the cooperation and support of our Anne Arundel County Eastern District Police force. Even though the Rte #50 Service Roads are State roads, our State Police are not funded to cover the Park geography and DNR (who owns SPSP) took noaction to clear up the traffic jams at the Park entrance.

At our 2016 meeting, the AACounty Police committed to supporting the Broadneck and have spent every summer weekend directing traffic away from the Park service roads funded by their own overtime expense budget. Attendance has increased in 2018 with over a dozen Park closures this summer. When the SPSP parking lots are full, Police divert traffic back onto Rte #50 west- preventing vehicles from standing along E. College Pkway/Oceanic Drive/Skidmore Drive. The BCC is working with the State to recover this ongoing expense. Thanks to Senator Ed Reilly who scheduled a BCC meeting with the State Secretary of the Budget to gain funding for the AAC/P for their Sandy Point expenses.

Work is in progress.

CAR BREAK-INS! 
There are about 100 vehicle break-ins per month in this area. About 90% take place in unlocked cars. Our Police officers stress the importance of locking your car doors and keeping nothing of value in the car that would encourage windows being broken. The thieves may be criminals on the ‘hunt’ or just locals walking around and trying door handles to be rewarded with an easy entry. Seeing sports equipment is enticing to thieves, so be aware and lock your doors. (Message from AAC Police).

UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT – OPZ and I&P MONTHLY MEETINGS
The BCC requested that our County Exec Steve Schuh, support our efforts to improve communications with his Planning and Perrnitting departments. Steve requested that his Director of Inspections and Permits (I&P) schedule meetings with our HOA’s and CA’s to provide a forum for discussions about community stormwater management (SWM) failures that are a serious problem in the Broadneck. We have had three meetings to date including one that featured Steve Miller, past President of Deep Creek Villages (DCV), who spoke on SWM failures at DCV. We have also met with Chris Phipps, Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW), on SWM installations and liabilities. The Presidents of Raintree and DCV spoke at our DPW meetings. The next I&P meeting is at 1:00 pm on Thursday-9/20 at 2664 Riva Rd–2nd floor ‘Chesapeake’ Conference Room. If you wish to be heard please join us on Thursday, 9/20.

On the 4th Tuesday of each month at the same County location, we have meetings with Phil Hager and his Office of Planing and Zoning (OPZ) staff from 4:00-6:00 pm. (September is an exception due to an OPZ requested rescheduling from Tues 9/25 to Wednesday 9/26—same time same place). The meetings allow our Community members to speak during the first hour with follow-on open floor Q&A’s during the second hour. Phil Hager and his team provided a briefing on AAC Code during the last two meetings to further enlighten attendees on the zoning laws detailed in Article 17 and 18. These meetings are co-sponsored by Growth Action Network-(GAN) and OPZ. We have a full house at these meetings so come early if you want a seat.

BROADNECK BIKE TRAIL—News from Steve Miller, BCC Director
Phase ll of the Broadneck Peninsula Trail is well under construction along College Parkway with an anticipated completion date of summer 2019. The Broadneck Peninsula Trail is a hiker-biker trail that will ultimately cover 9 miles and connect the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail to Bay Head Park and perhaps Sandy Point State Park. The design of Phase lll of the trail, which will go up to AA Community College, is progressing towards 60%. The County has submitted a grant application for funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program and anticipate award notices to be issued in the Fall 218. More information about the Trail can be found on the AA County website.

THE VILLAGE INN UPZONING CASE
The Communities next to the Rte #50 Village Inn, have decided to appeal the upzoning from R3 to R4 with the support of the BCC and help from GAN. The first hearing is scheduled for January 2019. This upzoning will allow the owners to construct a six story hotel. Due to the lack of justification for this zoning change, we will vigorously fight the case.

READ additional Broadneck News on our site:
https://protectbroadneck.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/broadneckcouncilofcommunities

–Pat Lynch, President
Broadneck Council of Communities, Inc.